1. Course evaluation calendar now available

The course evaluation calendar for the 2013–2014 academic year is now posted online. The Office of the Provost strongly encourages all instructors to provide students the opportunity to complete course evaluations in class using mobile technology. Instructors should plan to set aside 15-20 minutes of class time during the course evaluation session for their class(es). Instructions for offering an in-class evaluation are available online.

For additional information, including a sample in-class announcement, a sample evaluation form and more, visit the MOCES website or email courseval@marquette.edu.

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2. New monthly seminar series to focus on Marquette's high-performance computing resources

A new monthly seminar series will showcase Marquette's high-performance computing cluster named Pere, which is currently being used for research in chemistry, engineering, mathematics, computer science, statistics and business. The first seminar in the series will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, at 9 a.m. in Haggerty Hall, 494.

Dr. Xizhou Feng, research engineer in Information Technology Services, will present an overview of the university's high-performance computing resources. Feng will discuss how to access and run jobs on the cluster, best practices for cluster use and new online resources for users. Current and prospective high-performance computing users are encouraged to attend.

Future seminars will present research performed using high-performance computing, followed by a user forum to discuss updates and issues. For more information regarding the HPC seminar, contact Dr. Taly Gilat-Schmidt, assistant professor of biomedical engineering.

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3. Social Innovation Initiative hosting film about Nobel Peace Prize winner

The Social Innovation Initiative will screen the film Bonsai People: the Story of Muhammad Yunus, Friday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. This film follows the work of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who is believed to have touched one of every 1,000 lives on the planet through the development of microcredit loans. A question and answer session with filmmaker Holly Mosher will follow the screening.

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4. Free cookies for anyone wearing blue and gold Monday, Sept. 23

Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, on the Central Mall, Marquette University's Reaffirmation of Accreditation steering and site visit committees will be distributing free cookies to anyone wearing blue and gold. Information will also be available about the reaffirmation process, which will culminate when an eight-person site visit team from the Higher Learning Commission is on campus Sept. 30Oct. 2.

During the site visit, the HLC review team will meet with individuals and groups on campus, including three open forums – one each for students, staff and faculty – which are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to register for the open forums. The team will also meet with other individuals and groups on campus, including the University Academic Senate, University Staff Assembly and Marquette University Student Government.

The campus community is encouraged to read a briefing document, which provides an overview of the self-study prepared for the site visit team. The completed self-study is also available and individuals are encouraged to review the sections that are pertinent to their work on campus.

To encourage the Marquette community to wear Marquette apparel during Spirit Day on Monday, Sept. 23, the Marquette Spirit Shop will offer a one-day sale on all regular-priced apparel Friday, Sept. 20. The Spirit Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 8-3050.

5. UW-Madison Writing Center director to give presentation on recognizing strong writing centers

Brad Hughes, director of the Writing Center and Writing Across the Curriculum at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present "Thinking Critically About Writing Centers: How Do We Recognize Strong Writing Centers?," Thursday Sept. 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries Beaumier Suites B and C.

Hughes will discuss what characterizes strong, successful writing center programs, based on years of helping colleagues plan new writing centers, and evaluate and reinvent existing ones. Hughes will offer historical context for writing center debates and then share a set of questions he has developed to help writing centers think critically about their strengths and areas for improvement, as well as to aid in strategic planning.

For additional information, contact Dr. Beth Godbee, assistant professor of English.

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6. Author of Occupy Nation to deliver this year's Nieman Lecture

Dr. Todd Gitlan, chair of journalism and media studies at New York University, will present the annual Nieman Lecture, "Journalism: Fragmentation and Profusion," Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. in the AMU, 163. Gitlan is a writer, sociologist, poet and author of many books, including Occupy Nation.

The Lucius W. Nieman Symposium, named after the founder of The Milwaukee Journal, Lucius W. Nieman, is an annual event sponsored by the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication.

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7. Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to host sessions on finding funding for projects

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will host two sessions on finding funding for projects. Erin Folstad, director of project planning and development, will present "Finding Funding for Health, Science and Engineering Projects," Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon in Raynor Memorial Libraries, 330B. She will discuss how to begin funding research and where to look for potential funding sources. Folstad will also host "Finding Funding for Humanities and Social Science Projects," Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon in Raynor Memorial Libraries, 330B. To register for either event, contact Jennie Schatzman at 8-7225 by Friday, Oct. 4.

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8. Department of Chemistry seminars will discuss performance enhancing drugs, chemical sensing

The Department of Chemistry will host two seminars to discuss performance enhancing drugs and chemical sensing. Dr. Daniel W. Armstrong of the University of Texas at Arlington will present "Performance Enhancing Drugs: Background, Detection and Incidents," Monday, Sept. 30, at noon in Wehr Life Sciences, 111. Dr. Frank Bright of the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, will present "Chemical Sensing at the Nanoscale," Tuesday, Oct. 1, at noon in Wehr Chemistry, 121.

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9. Free spots open for Wisconsin Desire2Learn Regional Conference

The Center for Teaching and Learning and the Instructional Media Center are offering complimentary registration to five faculty members interested in attending the first Wisconsin Desire2Learn Ignite Regional User Forum, which will be held Friday, Nov. 8, at the Sheraton Hotel, Madison.

The conference is an opportunity to network with other Wisconsin D2L users to explore how eLearning is used in Wisconsin to enhance teaching and learning. The day will comprise D2L training, consultation sessions and opportunities for D2L users to share tips, tricks, strategies and best practices.

Faculty members interested in applying for one of the five complimentary registration fees should email Heidi Schweizer with a brief description of why the conference would be beneficial. The deadline for applications is Friday, Oct. 4. Please contact Heidi Schweizer, eLearning director, or Jon Pray, associate vice provost for educational technology, with questions.

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10. Attend Gender and Sexuality Resource Center brown bag lunch

The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center staff invites all students and staff for an informal lunch discussion and fellowship Friday, Sept. 20, at noon in the AMU, 425. This event requires no registration and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch.

For additional information, contact Sheraden Bobot, program assistant for GSRC, at 8-4974.

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11. Gesu Church hosting Catholicism DVD series

The Church of the Gesu will host the first episode of a Catholicism DVD series from Rev. Robert E. Barron on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 10:10 a.m. in Cudahy Hall, 001. The episode, "Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God Become Man," will explore the dynamic truths of Catholicism. The remaining nine episodes will be viewed Sundays from Oct. 6, 2013, through March 30, 2014. For more information and the full schedule, contact Barbara Macpherson, Gesu Parish director of child and family formation, at 8-7101.

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12. Farmers' market will return to campus next week

A farmers' market will be held on campus Tuesday, Sept. 24, and Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Westowne Square. Items for sale include fresh produce, apple cider, baked pies and artisan cheeses. Each farmers' market will also feature opportunities to buy lunch, such as pork sandwiches and chili cook-offs. In the event of rain, the farmers' markets will be moved to the Olin overhang.

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13. Register for Milwaukee Heart Walk to compete in Deans' and Vice Presidents' Cup Challenge

The Employee Wellness Program encourages faculty and staff to join their college or department team for the 2013 Milwaukee Heart Walk – Deans' and Vice Presidents' Cup Challenge, which will be held Sunday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. in Veterans Park. The college and department with the highest percentage of participants will win a traveling trophy, and the first 100 people to register will receive an Employee Wellness drawstring backpack. Team 4EZ (the Provost, Executive Vice President and President's Office) has set the bar high with more than 90 percent participation.

Registration can be completed online. All employees will be entered into a grand prize drawing where five people will win prize packages. For more information, contact Kristin Kipp, wellness coordinator, at 8-5607.

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14. Attend diversity-focused Law School admissions information session

Join the Law School admissions staff, the Multicultural Student Council and Law School alumni for an admissions information session with a focus on ethnic diversity Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. The session will specifically focus on ethnic diversity in the Law School, as well as answer questions about admissions, financial aid, curriculum, student life and more. Participants are also invited to attend the Annual Alumni/Student Diversity Reception immediately following the session. More information and registration can be found online, or by contacting Stephanie Nikolay, director of admissions and recruitment, at 8-8062.

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15. College of Professional Studies to hold information session

The College of Professional Studies will hold an undergraduate degree information session for prospective adult students Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in Cudahy Hall, 414. Attendees will learn about the application and admission process for receiving accelerated, eight-week-session bachelor's degrees in areas such as: leadership and organizations, criminology and law studies, professional communication, and psychology. The session will include information on Saturday, weeknight and online classes, as well as financial aid options.

Register online or by calling 8-3153.

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16. Campus buildings part of Doors Open Milwaukee tours

Historic Milwaukee, Inc. will present the third annual Doors Open Milwaukee event Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, as an opportunity to experience the city's "built environment" that is integral to Milwaukee's history, economy and culture – past and present.

Several campus buildings will be open for free tours as part of the event:

  • Engineering Hall – Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Raynor Memorial Libraries – Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • St. Joan of Arc Chapel – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Eckstein Hall – Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Parking will be free in both structures for visitors to campus. For additional information, contact Jacqueline Schram, governmental and community affairs associate, at 8-3039.

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17. Commuter Value Pass deadline is tomorrow

The deadline to participate in the Commuter Value Pass payroll deduction program is Friday, Sept. 20. Formerly known as the Easy Pass, the Commuter Value Pass offers unlimited Milwaukee County bus rides, including Freeway Flyers and special event shuttles to the Bradley Center, Miller Park and other locations.

The program costs $210 per quarter and can be deducted before taxes to save money. Sign up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the AMU, Union Station, for passes that will be good during October, November and December. Those who wish to drop the pass must also do so in Union Station by Sept. 20.

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18. Volunteers needed for Golf Team tournament

The Men's Golf Team is seeking volunteers for the Erin Hills Intercollegiate tournament Oct. 6-8, in Erin, Wis. Volunteers will receive free admission to the three-day tournament at Erin Hills, which is a future site of the U.S. Open. Those interested in volunteering should contact Gail at volunteererinhills@yahoo.com. More information about this event can be found online.

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